KOHIMA, AUGUST 26 (NEPS): Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang expressed his optimism that there would be a final settlement to the protracted Naga political issue. He, however, stated that to reach such a stage all had to play a proactive role and the Government of India should play a greater role than what they had been doing now.
Talking to a section of press here in his office chamber on Saturday, the Chief Minister disclosed his recent discussion with RV Ravi, Interlocutor to the Naga peace talks, at Delhi with regard to the actual sense of “comprehensive solution” to the Naga issue.
“I told him that he (Ravi) should take the risk of meeting leaders of other Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) to make them understand the process that has been going on for finding a permanent solution to the issue,” he narrated. “At the same time, he (Ravi) should take the responsibility to make NSCN (IM) general secretary, Muivah, understand that the participation of other NNPGs in final settlement of the Naga issue is essential.”
According to the Chief Minister, the Interlocutor should make sure that Muivah do not react in the negative to the participation by other NNPGs. The Interlocutor should also be able to talk to the leaders of NNPGs by even taking undertakings from them that they should in no way sabotage the process of settling the issue.
“I told Ravi that these are the missing links he had,” the Chief Minister pointed out. Because Ravi represented the Government of India and he had a full confidence of the Prime Minister towards finding a solution to the Naga political issue. But if the missing link was not connected and understanding between the NSCN (IM) and other NNPGs are not built, the very meaning of “inclusive solution” would continue to remain “elusive,” the Chief Minister reiterated.
Zeliang further expressed his happiness that the Interlocutor had taken his “suggestion” for solution seriously and even Muivah expressed his positive mind to the idea. He had even conveyed the same “suggestion” to the leader of GPRN/NSCN. They were all happy and even told him that “If Ravi invites us (GPRN/NSCN) officially, we are ready.”
“The same thing was also conveyed to NSCN (R) chief,” he claimed.
“Now, the Government of India should take initiatives to engage in dialogues with the other NNPGs,” Zeliang asserted.
“After all, they all have been fighting for the same cause that is to find a final settlement to the Naga political issue.”
“Whether I am in the Chair or not, I will always work for the solution of the Naga issue,” Zeliang said and hoped that the entire Northeast would become peaceful once the Naga issue was resolved.
“So I believe an inclusive solution is possible and a permanent peace can be expected,” he said.
